The key duties of the position include:
The Role
Are you ready to lead critical procurement efforts as an EL 1 - Contract Manger in Defence?
In this role, you will champion strategic procurement planning, tendering, and contract formation, while managing resources and setting priorities as the Commercial Lead. Your leadership will be central to driving commercial outcomes, guiding teams, and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives. You’ll work both independently and collaboratively with the boarder team to deliver high quality outcomes.
Key responsibilities include providing guidance and advice aligned with applicable policy, managing branch level contract registers and planned procurements, and leading reporting and forecasting on contracting activities to the Executive Group and wider team. You’ll also chair a community of practice focused on contracting and procurement excellence.
This role requires interpreting legislation and policy, mitigating commercial risks, and ensuring compliance with procurement frameworks. You’ll offer expert advice on legal, financial and technical matters, build strong stakeholder relationships and resolve complex contract issues.
This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.
About our Team
Joint Capabilities Group (JCG) was formed in July 2017 and has continued to evolve since its inception. We are a fully integrated civilian-military-contractor workforce, drawing on high quality and motivated people from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines who embody Defence and Australian Public Service values.
JCG is a multi-domain Group comprising of Space, Cyber and the Defence Networks, and delivering Military Strategic Effects and Logistics for the Defence Enterprise.
Cyber Operations Division (COD) is responsible for the integration, operation, management and security of Defence's global strategic communications capability that enable military operations and support Defence business. COD is also responsible at the strategic level to the Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Joint Operations for advice and technical control for the Command, Control, Communications and Cyber security in support of ADF Operations.
COD consists of four branches. They are:
- Service Management Branch (SMB)
- Enterprise Technology Operations Branch (ETOB)
- Defence Strategic Communications Branch (DSCB)
- J6 Operations Support (J6OS)[CKM1]
ETOB works with Defence business owners to improve the security, performance and stability of the application and platform services that enable military capability and support Defence enabling services.
ETOB manages applications across finance, human resources, logistics, information management, whole of government and security domains.
ETOB is also responsible for Defence enterprise cloud services, End User Computing, application hosting services and data centre management for Defence.
Our Ideal Candidate
We’re looking for someone who brings energy, expertise, and a commitment to excellence.
Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following:
- A high standard of professionalism, integrity, discretion and sound judgement
- The ability to interpret and apply legislation, regulations, policies, procedures, standards and corporate objectives to deliver complex commercial outcomes
- Accountability for contract administration, performance, and risk management, with the confidence to take decisive action when needed
- A collaborative mindset, working with stakeholders, technical experts and broader team to deliver impactful contract management and advice aligned with best practice
- Proven experience in operational and professional contract management environments
- Self-motivation, drive, and the ability to achieve results both independently and as part of a team
- Exceptional negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to translate complexity into clarity for diverse audiences
- Strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to guide, develop, and inspire teams to achieve strategic outcomes
Eligibility
Security Clearance:
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.
Getting to know the Department of Defence
The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer engaging, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers
📌 Contract Manager
🏢 Department Of Defence
📍 Canberra